Doyard

The Doyards have been vignerons, or grape growers, for a long time at Vertus, the southermost part of Côte des Blancs. Four generations ago they started making champagne as well. Father Yannick chose to work organically, his son Charles pushed the limits further by implementing biodynamics into the vineyards, including a horse to replace tractors. Charles was generally considered a talented, visionary champagne maker at his sudden death in 2017, aged 31.

His younger brother Guillaume, at that point working in marketing, decided to lead the domain. Now he oversees ten hectares of vineyards in grand cru villages like Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize and Cramant and premier cru village Vertus. Here you will find chardonnay everywhere; Doyard grows some pinot noir at Ay. Part of the grape yield is sold off, Doyard produces about 50.000 bottles annually.

There are a lot of oak barrels in the cellar, but it is used wood: Doyard strives for blanc de blancs with an elegant freshness. Malolactic fermentation is stopped in most wines and the champagnes are given ample time to mature.

Doyard champagnes are thoughtful and lively at the same time, refined and complex. While showpiece Vendémiaire is already a sweetheart of a wine, all cuvées show what meticulous work in the vineyard and cellar yields: rich champagnes that make you pause for a moment.